Please click on this photo to see an enlarged view of a woodcock chick that is from a brood of three chicks I banded in May 2009. The chick is attempting to flee after being released from my nylon mesh holding bag to its nearby mother who is calling to them. I regathered the three banded chicks, placed them under my hat for a while to calm them down, then released them calmed, unharmed and together to their mother who reclaimed them minutes after my departure. Their average bill length was 40 mm, which indicates that they are 13 days old and will begin to fly within a few days. Little wonder they were so energetic upon their initial release from my holding bag! Cute little buggers, aren't they?
